Making cider this fall

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:09 am

Thanks to Dutch, we now have access to a cider press. If anybody has apples or knows where we can get apples to make cider, post it here. Apples won't be ready for a while, but it's time to locate some. Might even be possible to trade apples for some cider, either fresh or fermented!! This could be a great OVHA event. CIDER DAY! We'll need to stockpile milk jugs for storage, also.

Dutch · Post by **Dutch** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:25 pm

We could really have some fun with this baby. It would be even better if we could have someone loan us a small electric motor. Maybe 1/3 or 1/2 HP, 1750 RPM 120VAC. I could easily add a pully and a belt to eliminate the need to have someone crank "THE BEAST". Let me know and I will get it going. I will post a couple of pictures of the press. This piece was actually slated to be restored but I have not gotten to it yet. In its current condition it should be just about perfect to make a bunch of cider. It is from about 1880 give or take.
Can't wait!!!

Dutch · Post by **Dutch** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:39 pm

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Chris Norrick · Post by **Chris Norrick** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:28 pm

Sounds like a great idea to me! I'll start saving jugs.

Don · Post by **Don** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:59 pm

I've got a 1/4HP 1725 rpm 120 /230v cw/ccr motor if that will work.
Let me know. I'll look around and see if I have a bigger one.

Dutch · Post by **Dutch** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:25 pm

Don,
I would bet that this would do. We will gain a mechanical advantage if, for example, we consider a 15:1 speed decrease which is the pulley ratio. I would plan on using a 1.5" pulley on the motor and run the belt around the flywheel which is 22.5" effectively increasing the HP by a 15 factor as well to about 3.75HP. Once the energy is put into the 35# flywheel I would think this will do the job. By the way, at about the speed of 116 RPM [1750 / pulley ratio] we should be just about right at 2 RPS on the flywheel.
I think we could give this a try!
Let me know how I can get the motor and I'll work out the fit-up.
Thanks.

Don · Post by **Don** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:31 am

I'm working 7 - 3:30 this week, if you need me to drop it off somewhere, or I have it in my truck if you want to wait till Saturday and pick it up at SWIRCA.

Dutch · Post by **Dutch** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:32 pm

Don,
SWIRCA it is.
Thanks.

TonyF · Post by **TonyF** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:21 am

http://www.cider.org.uk/

Found this great cider site. Lots of info from a former cider researcher.

TonyF